Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests to Boost Workforce Training Efforts in Wilmington, North Carolina

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $633,408 grant to Cape Fear Community College of Wilmington, North Carolina, to help establish an Electrical Powerline Technician School. The grant, to be matched with $158,352 in local investment, is expected to attract nearly $6 million in private investment, and create 200 jobs.

“The Trump Administration is committed to supporting opportunities for technical training and manufacturing as a way to provide good jobs for Americans,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Dr. John Fleming. “This project will increase the capacity of Cape Fear Community College to provide the trained workforce that the local business community needs to succeed.”

This investment will help the College build a new facility that will provide entry level powerline technician training for electrical contractors. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southeastern Economic Development Commission (SEDC). EDA funds the SEDC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.